Kitittas Valley Washington

Olmstead, Phil – Obituary

Philip S. Olmstead, a 73-year-old pioneer of Kittitas Valley for nearly 62 years, passed away from a heart attack on March 23, 1938. Born in Ottawa, Illinois, he moved to the valley as a child with his family, who were among the early settlers. Olmstead had a distinguished lineage, including Revolutionary War figures. He was a respected freighter and prominent member of the community, serving on the board of the Ellensburg Water Company and as president of the Kittitas Valley Pioneers Association.

Montgomery, Sadie “Sasie” Folsom Sutherland – Obituary

Mrs. Sasie F. Montgomery passed away on December 1, 1922, at her home in the Broadview District after a year of illness. Born on May 21, 1858, in Kerona, Illinois, she moved to Kittitas County in 1888 and married James Montgomery in 1891. A dedicated educator, she taught in Ellensburg’s schools and served on the county examining board. Additionally, she was a clerk for District No. 6’s school board. Her funeral will take place on Sunday, with Rev. J. W. Caughlan officiating.

Michels, Anna Olding – Obituary

Anna Michels, a 69-year-old resident of the Kittitas Valley, passed away at her home on August 25, 1949, after a prolonged illness. Born in Ellensburg on May 23, 1880, she married Henry J. Michels in 1900, who predeceased her in 1943. Anna served on the Kittitas County Fair Board for several years. She is survived by her son, Roy, and four sisters. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at Honeycutt-Evenson Chapel, with interment at the IOOF cemetery.

McKenzie, Charles Maxfield – Obituary

Charles Max McKenzie, 84, passed away on August 17, 1986, in Edmonds. Born on December 8, 1901, in Omaha, Nebraska, he relocated with his family to Quincy and later to Kittitas Valley, where they farmed. McKenzie worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad from 1923 until his retirement in 1967. He was married to Ruth Barnhart in 1926, and they moved to Yakima in 1932, where he pursued various farming endeavors. He is survived by his wife, two sons, seven grandchildren, and siblings. Graveside services are scheduled at the IOOF Cemetery in Ellensburg.

McGranahan, Anna Friel – Obituary

Mrs. T. McGranahan, a long-time resident of Ellensburg, passed away on March 2, 1927, due to pneumonia following influenza. A pioneer who moved to the area in 1901 from St. Anthony, Idaho, she is survived by her husband, son C. C. McGranahan, three brothers, and two sisters in the East. Funeral services, led by Rev. Hansen Bergen of the First Presbyterian Church, are scheduled for Friday at their family home. She will be laid to rest at the IOOF Cemetery.

Stickney, May Briody – Obituary

May Briody Stickney, a 70-year-old pioneer of Kittitas County, passed away on July 5, 1934, just over a month after her husband, Elmer E. Stickney. Born on February 10, 1864, in Oregon City, she moved to Kittitas Valley in 1892 and married Elmer that same year. She is survived by eight children, 19 grandchildren, a sister, and a brother. A member of the Royal Neighbor Lodge, her funeral will be held at Honeycutt Chapel, officiated by Rev. John Hanks.

E. Peter Sorenson – Obituary

E. Peter Sorenson, a prominent farmer in the Denmark District, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 65 from a heart attack on October 12, 1937. Born on April 7, 1872, near Aarhus, Denmark, he immigrated to Minnesota in 1888 and later settled in the Kittitas Valley. Sorenson was an influential figure in the community, surviving by his wife, a daughter, two sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews. His funeral was held at Honeycutt Chapel, with burial in the IOOF Cemetery.

Seaton, James A. – Obituary

James A. Seaton, a prominent farmer from the Fairview District, passed away at the age of 73 on January 7, 1968. Born on November 12, 1893, in Kittitas County, he married Ruth Z. Wallace in 1924, who preceded him in death in 1952. Seaton was involved in the Kittitas County Farm Bureau and operated a hay baling business early in his career. He is survived by his son, daughter, nine grandchildren, and siblings. Funeral services will take place at Evenson Funeral Home.

Schnebly, Elizabeth May Barnhart – Obituary

Elizabeth Barnhart Schnebly, 95, a lifelong resident of Kittitas Valley, passed away on May 21, 1983, at Haven House Nursing Home. Born on October 15, 1887, she was the daughter of Frank C. and Matilda Barnhart, and part of a lineage of local pioneers. Married to Joseph Jay Schnebly in 1907, she contributed to the community and was active in her church and local clubs. She is survived by her three children, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Services will be held at the IOOF Cemetery.

Schnebly, Edna Emily Smith – Obituary

Edna E. Schnebly, 78, a retired schoolteacher from lower Taneum, passed away on September 1, 1971, at Ellensburg Hospital. Born on October 24, 1892, in East Stanwood, she taught in various local schools and resumed her career during the war, retiring in 1960. She married John Henry Schnebly in 1916 and was an active member of her community, including the Episcopal Church. She is survived by two sons, two daughters, and numerous grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Evensons on Saturday.

Peffers, Moses – Obituary

Moses Peffers, a Kittitas Valley pioneer since 1882, died at 79 on April 13, 1930, at his daughter’s home. Originally from Fairview District, he had moved to the city due to illness. He is survived by five sons, a daughter, nine grandchildren, and siblings in Iowa. His funeral service took place at the Honeycutt Funeral Home, led by Rev. A. B. Morriss, with interment at the IOOF Cemetery.

Montgomery, James M. – Obituary

J. M. Montgomery, a resident of Kittitas Valley for 56 years, passed away on October 29, 1937, at the age of 85 after a brief illness. Born on June 30, 1852, in Oregon, he relocated to Kittitas County in 1881, where he established a farm and operated a freighting line prior to the arrival of the railroad. He is survived by his wife, stepdaughter, grandson, sister, and several relatives. His funeral, officiated by Rev. F. L. Pedersen, took place at Honeycutt Chapel, with burial at IOOF Cemetery.

Montgomery, George – Obituary

George Montgomery, a respected pioneer of Kittitas Valley, died on April 29, 1934, at his home after a brief illness. Born on September 29, 1860, in Jackson County, Oregon, he moved to the valley at 21 and married Deliah Davis in 1890. Known for his dedication as a gardener at the Normal School for 14 years, he faced significant challenges while freight driving in his early years. He is survived by his wife, two sons, and siblings. Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Montgomery, Deliah Jane Davis – Obituary

Deliah Jane Davis Montgomery, a 71-year-old native of Washington and longtime resident of Kittitas Valley, passed away on April 18, 1942, after a prolonged illness. Born on July 11, 1870, in Woodinville, she moved to the valley in 1881 with her parents. She married George Montgomery in 1890, who predeceased her. Survived by two sons, a brother, a sister, and nine grandchildren, her funeral will be held at Honeycutt Chapel, with interment at the IOOF Cemetery.

Michels, Martin – Obituary

Martin Michels, Sr., an 80-year-old pioneer of Ellensburg, passed away on February 14, 1917, after a prolonged illness. Born in Germany in 1837, he emigrated to the U.S. in 1855 and married Margaret Lenhartz in 1859. The Michels family settled in Kittitas Valley in 1882. He was a devoted member of the Catholic Church and is survived by his wife, eleven children, 34 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, many of whom reside in Ellensburg. Funeral arrangements will be announced upon the arrival of his son.

Taylor, Mary Grewell – Obituary

Mary Grewell Taylor, a pioneering settler of Kittitas Valley, passed away on October 1, 1933, at the age of 75 after a month-long illness. Born in Iowa in 1858, she crossed the plains at six and witnessed significant historical events, including the Indian Wars. She was the first teacher in the valley and remained active well into her later years. Her life exemplified the resilience of early settlers as she navigated numerous hardships while contributing to the community’s development.

Morrison, General Grant – Obituary

General Grant Morrison, 50, a lifelong resident of Kittitas Valley, passed away on August 27, 1938, after a prolonged illness. Born in Kittitas in 1888, he is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, and three brothers. Funeral services are scheduled for the following afternoon at 1:30 PM at the Honeycutt Chapel, with interment at the IOOF Cemetery.

Sorenson, John O. – Obituary

John O. Sorenson, a respected farmer from Kittitas Valley, passed away at 57 after struggling with health issues. Born on May 13, 1893, to pioneer parents, he dedicated his life to farming and community service, contributing to numerous agricultural associations and civic projects. A member of the National Guard during World War I, Sorenson is survived by his wife Flora, three sons, eight grandchildren, and siblings. His funeral will take place on Wednesday at Honeycutt-Evenson Chapel, with burial at the IOOF Cemetery.

Wyatt, Mary Melissa Birney – Obituary

Mrs. F. G. Wyatt, a respected resident of Kittitas, passed away on August 15, 1938, at the age of 76 after a brief illness. Born on January 23, 1862, in Jewitt, Illinois, she married F. G. Wyatt in 1881 and later moved to Kittitas Valley. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1931. Mrs. Wyatt is survived by her husband, eight children, 13 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Honeycutt Chapel, with interment at IOOF Cemetery.

Wyatt, Kenneth E. – Obituary

Kenneth E. Wyatt, a former minor league baseball pitcher, passed away on February 24, 1977, at the age of 51. Born in Kittitas, he lived in Tacoma since 1960 and held the strike-out record in the Western International League during the late 1940s. In addition to his baseball career, he served as a travel guard at Western State Hospital and was a World War II Army veteran. He is survived by two daughters, Karen and Teri Wyatt.